Giant-Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.Clinical and Pathological Assessment. Comparison with Other Large-cell Anaplastic Bronchogenic Carcinomas

Fewer than 40 cases of giant-cell carcinoma of the lung have been described in the world literature. Fourteen new cases are now presented. This is a special type of large-cell anaplastic carcinoma characterized by tumour giant cells with one or more nuclei and by a very pleomorphic appearance. A number of previous authors have emphasized the following special features of this type of tumour. Occurrence in a younger age group, a more rapid course from initial symptoms until death, more extensive metastasization, and a more peripheral location of the primary tumour than in other large-cell anaplastic carcinomas. It has also been stated that the tumour differs from other large-cell anaplastic carcinomas in its shorter duration (average 4 1/2 months) and more peripheral distribution (c/p ratio 1:2.2). In the present material only the survival period was significantly shorter (average 7 months), while in other respects the tumour did not differ from other large-cell anaplastic carcinomas.